FDA new report - 1,950 cat deaths

[Lizzie]

This from the VetPet Digest:

DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF ALL VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS
FROM CHINA FOR ANIMAL OR HUMAN FOOD USE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF MELAMINE
AND/OR MELAMINE ANALOGS"

TYPE OF ALERT: Detention Without Physical Examination (Countrywide)

PRODUCTS:
Wheat Gluten, Rice Gluten, Rice Protein, Rice Protein Concentrate, Corn
Gluten, Corn Gluten Meal, Corn By-Products, Soy Protein, Soy Gluten,
Proteins (includes amino acids and protein hydrosylates), Mung Bean Protein

COUNTRY: China (CN)

MANUFACTURER/SHIPPER: All
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To see the full FDA import alert notice, see here:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9929.html

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Note: Instead of the usual "16 pet deaths have been reported", in this alert
they are actually stating:

"As of April 26, 2007, FDA had received over 17,000 consumer complaints
relating to this outbreak, and those complaints included reports of
approximately 1950 deaths of cats and 2200 deaths of dogs."

[Sonia59]

We will probably never know about the exact number of deaths...

If the products have been labeled as non-food products, how comes that all the major food companies selling so-called high-quality food decide to incorporate it in their products

[Kirsten]

This is sooooo horrible, and my heart breaks for all these poor cats and dogs, and their humans. I have no words for this tragedy, and it leaves you very confused about what to feed your pet at all!!

I also wonder if any of these products have been sold on the European market?

Kirsten

[Lizzie]

This is sooooo horrible, and my heart breaks for all these poor cats and dogs, and their humans. I have no words for this tragedy, and it leaves you very confused about what to feed your pet at all!!

I also wonder if any of these products have been sold on the European market?

Kirsten

From what I have read, Kirsten, the EU has more rigorous controls and checks on food imports than the U.S. That may change because the ripples of this problem are ever-widening.

[Kirsten]

That may change because the ripples of this problem are ever-widening.

I fear so, too. Besides, the Hill's food I buy at my vet's is delivered from the US, as far as I know. I need to ask my vet about it the next time.

All this is so heartbreaking! I imagine all these poor animals eating happily their meals, not knowing that it's leading to their death. I know I shouldn't torture myself with thoughts like that, but I just can't help it.

Kirsten

[catmandu]

The Pet Angels Say That There Have So Many Pets Coming Up And Wondering What Happened As They Were Eating The Food That They Always Ate And Then Suddenly There They Were At The Rainbow Bridge.
All Those Dear Pets Lost, This Is A Tragedy.
We Can Only Pray That Enough Voters Will Make The Politicians Take Heed Of This And Make The Pet Food People Smarten Up.